When reality diverges from expectations… Industry 4.0, FDI and post-transition economy

Abstract

Our research touches upon the modified conditions of hosting FDI in a post-transition economy in times of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By combining the insight from two types of study – a qualitative study of 16 in-depth interviews with experts and a quantitative survey of 440 foreign subsidiaries established in Poland – we confront the speculations and expectations regarding Industry 4.0's and FDI's interplay with the potential role played by foreign subsidiaries in transferring innovations. We compare views on Industry 4.0's modified host location attractiveness with foreign subsidiaries' perceived attractiveness of host location.